A “Day After” that will lead to months of questions…
by John Kincade It’s going to be a long time before you feel OK about how things turned out on Sunday in SB57. It’s the seasons where you actually accomplish…
DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
by John Kincade
It’s going to be a long time before you feel OK about how things turned out on Sunday in SB57. It’s the seasons where you actually accomplish something that hurt and matter the most when they don’t end in a championship. The 2022 season will go down as one of “what might have been” instead of a championship. The mistakes made and the decisions that caused some head scratching moments will forever become part of the collective scar of the fan base. A chance to elevate league wide status with another Lombardi trophy didn’t materialize. They have nobody to blame but themselves.
If you believe that the questionable call that extended the Chiefs final scoring drive was the reason the Eagles lost the game, I’m going to have to vehemently disagree. Was it a contributing factor? Sure. Does blaming that completely ignore everything that happened in that disastrous second half? Yep.
The Eagles did uncharacteristic things in the Super Bowl that they hadn’t done all season. They had unforced errors, including a terrible turnover that led to a Chiefs touchdown from Jalen Hurts. My lasting memory of the game though will be that Jalen Hurts answered every possible question about whether he was ready for the big stage. He was absolutely the best quarterback on the field. He threw for 300 yards and rushed for another 70. He showed poise and confidence. It was eye popping. Sign the man and know that you have an answer at quarterback for a generation of fans to enjoy in the future.
The field conditions were atrocious. Before people start using that as an excuse remember that both teams played on it. The turf was more like a skating rink and was instrumental in many critical plays. That can’t happen for a multi-billion industry. The NFL should be pissed that it’s biggest showcase was affected by something so avoidable.
Jonathan Gannon had a poor second half. There is no debating it. The adjustments made by the Chiefs after halftime were never answered. Coaches weren’t the reason you lost that game. Whether it was a fumble that led to a gift TD or numerous clock violations, the team looked shaky. The overwhelming factor was your best weapon on defense, your pass rush, was completely invisible. They never got Patrick Mahomes down on the ground, let alone pressure him hardly at all. They couldn’t collapse the pocket and when they did they gave him running lanes that led to big conversions.
I know you won’t want to hear this today and I get it. Remember, the 1980 and 2004 Eagles teams are considered historic and are celebrated in this city decades later. After the losses in Super Bowls 15 and 39 there was a lot of complaining and anger. It’s expected and I would dare to say cathartic. It takes time for the temperature to die down and for reflection to begin. Nobody wants to reflect on the accomplishments today, but we will and we will find reasons to be proud.
Silver linings will come, but not today.
Super Bowl LVII Field Level Photos
We have all of the field level photos from Super Bowl LVII. Two teams, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, will do their best to exert their will at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. After a 60 minute battle the Kansas City Chiefs won 38-35.
See our LIVE updates blog here.
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Kenneth Gainwell #14 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a first down during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the Super Bowl LVII Pregame at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs scrambles against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with Miles Sanders #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles after catching a 45 yard touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a catch during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
Cleats are seen on the sideline during the third quarter in Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
Kadarius Toney #19 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
A Philadelphia Eagles fan looks on during Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
Head Coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
Kadarius Toney #19 of the Kansas City Chiefs scores a touchdown on a five yard pass during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
Head Coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles speaks with side judge Eugene Hall #103 during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Super Bowl LVII - Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles
The flight crew for the pregame fly over is recognized during the third quarter in Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
